Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Book Review: "Duckling" by Eve Ainsworth

Kindle     Paperback
⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Each book I read and review starts off with the full body of 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they will all still be firmly stuck in place by the time I close the back cover.  I'm never shy about removing stars if I feel it necessary, but I always give my reasons within the review - they don't just plop off.

Apparently this book is "A gripping, emotional, life-affirming story you'll want to recommend to a friend" and it's a 4.3 star story from 224 reviews, so it's got a lot to live up to!

Let's get going with the reading and reviewing shall we?

The first chapter was good... I'll never remember the four characters that I've already been introduced to though lol

Chapter 2 was good... I'm ever so slowly starting to get to know the main character, her new neighbours and I've kinda been introduced to her boss and dad too.  I'm thinking that there might be an opportunity for friendship and fun with her neighbours, maybe a bit of romantic interest and possibly grief with her dad too, but I hope I'm wrong about that last one.

Chapter 3 has got me slightly worried, but this review is already starting to get a bit long, so, like my other reviews, I'll only comment on the big things now.

There have been a few mentions of a famous international burger bar and now their logo, so in fairness to other books I've read, the first star is coming off on page 73 and I'm really hoping that's the only one.

I'm about a third of the way through the book already, so now, at chapter 7, seems like a good point to go and make my lunch.

The end of chapter 7 was better than I was dreading, but I'm starting to get worried/angry/frustrated at Cassie now!

I'm almost half way now and am I about to find out more about Lucy's dad??

Gonna read one more chapter and hopefully that'll take me to tea-time, then I can spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with my nose in this great book.

Oooh!  I wonder what Lucy's secret is?  Will I find out before bedtime tonight or will it tantalise me until tomorrow??

Back until lunchtime and I hope I find out what Lucy's secret is soon!

Chapter 12 and I still don't know Lucy's secret, but maybe we are closer to finding Cassie??

Up to page 229 and time for lunch methinks.  There's about 160 pages to go and I've got so many questions for the author to answer and I hope it's a happy ending too... and I'm thinking it'll be a tear-jerker judging by the subtitle too, what with it promising to be "A gripping, emotional, life-affirming story".

With about 120 pages to go, the stakes have suddenly ramped up even higher!  How on earth is the author going to tie the lose ends up without rushing through it all?!

Page 272 and things are finally falling into place... my heart is thumping and I'm really hope this won't be a sad ending to a great book.

It's been a busy couple of days since I last picked up this book so it'll be a challenge to see if my memory churns into action when I pick it up again.  I'm really hoping there isn't anything sob-worthy before lunch so that I don't feel too emotional to eat!

The spelling of Lucy's name in that text has got me on edge... will this be bad news?  Has something happened to Cassie?  There's still half an hour before lunch so I'm gonna read one more chapter then make it methinks.

Chapter 21 is making me think we're going international now, but we can't be with less than 70 pages to go, surely?!

Oh.

My.

Goddess.

I've just finished the book and the tears are streaming down my face in stonking huge great waves.

Definitely worth waiting for.

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